Based on the report submitted by OmniScience Capital, India's manufacturing industry is expected to act as a key driver of economic growth, contributing to 20% of the GDP of India by 2035 and realising a USD 3 trillion market potential.

To meet the need for disruptive leaders in this sector, IIM Calcutta has introduced the Advanced Program in Smart Manufacturing Leadership with VCNow Executive Education, a Unified Collaboration Services LLP brand. The eight-month one-of-a-kind curriculum is meant for senior executives, plant heads, CXOs, operations executives and entrepreneurs who wish to implement smart and digital manufacturing strategies utilizing Industry 4.0 technology to gain operational excellence.

The goal at IIM Calcutta is to cultivate the next generation of leaders.  The APSML course, according to Professor Alok Kumar Rai, Director of IIM Calcutta is a big step in preparing people with the vision, creativity and technological know-how to lead India's smart manufacturing revolution.

As they continue to break new grounds in innovation and smart manufacturing the program reflects an incredible commitment to shaping the future of our industry and country, says Professor R Rajesh Babu Dean of Executive Education at IIM Calcutta. He further explains that the program allows participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of Industry 4.0 and also design and drive digital transformation initiatives that leverage cutting edge technology. This is done through the combination of technologies like IoT (Internet of Things), AI, robotics, digital twins and cloud computing to drive manufacturing excellence, he says.

The study program has been thoughtfully created to address important topics that are very relevant to the business world.  According to Professor Partha Priya Datta, APSML's Program Director, the program's emphasis on data-driven elements such as data-driven manufacturing, cybersecurity, data governance and system modelling gives participants better decision making tools to improve business performance through production process optimisation, responsiveness and efficiency.

Since the industry requires a mix of technical, managerial, and operating skills, the program focuses on strategic and operational areas. They hope to instill elements of strategy and operational excellence in participants by utilising leadership skills in digital manufacturing, supply chain management, change management and sustainable strategy. The program educates participants on how to create a culture of ongoing improvement and encourage strategic innovation within their enterprises using intelligent manufacturing, he says.

Professor Vishal Bansal, Programme Director at APSML, stresses the need for experiential learning in Industry 4.0 and believes that to drive innovation efficiently, one needs to learn from experience directly. Their learning strategies involve hands-on demonstrations of Industry 4.0 tools, capstone projects, guest lectures by industry experts, group projects, simulations and gamified learning, supplemented by case discussions involving Indian and global manufacturing companies, he explained to me.

This program is executive-friendly due to its smooth online design, facilitated by a collaboration with VCNow Executive Education and powered by advanced technology. 

They are excited to partner with IIM Calcutta to create this innovative program, which is closely in line with our mission of harnessing smart technology to develop game changing learning experiences. They are looking forward to enabling participants to learn and become leaders in their field of activity by offering them effortless access to IIM Calcutta's world-class knowledge and expertise through our technology and student support platforms, states Pulak Pattanayak, Co-Founder and Director of VCNow.

The Saturday classes are available online every week for three hours, which allows professionals to easily balance their study and work life. The program also consists of a four-day on-campus immersion which gives invaluable hands-on learning.

IIM Calcutta's Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing has a reputation for delivering high-quality programs. The Advanced Programme in Smart Manufacturing Leadership aims to take this knowledge even further. It is designed for professionals with a minimum of eight years of experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or related functions.  IIIM Calcutta's APSML is a solution that is critical and forward looking and helps India achieve its national goal of emerging as a world manufacturing hub. The curriculum, which gives professionals cutting edge skills and knowledge will chart India's manufacturing economy into the future.